Case Study

Editor’s note: Don’t miss the 40% discount offer for this series at the bottom of this post! The International Living Future Institute (ILFI) is excited to share the consolidation of seven Ecotone book titles under one umbrella – the new Living Building Challenge Book Series. Here’s a quick overview of the series and how we envision it as a solution…

The Oregon Zoo recently opened their renewably powered Education Center, building on an exciting trend in Zero Energy project development in the Pacific Northwest. The $17 million dollar project features 760 solar photovoltaic modules, a 10,000-gallon rainwater cistern, and is designed to operate at net zero energy. The Education Center also recently won the Energy Trust of Oregon’s (ETO) High-Performance…

Learn more about the Living Product Expo 2017, held on Sept 12 – 14 in Pittsburgh, and register today! Early bird ends August 1st. A prominent feature of the Living Product Expo are the products themselves, made with innovative materials by companies who are pushing the limit on healthy products. Interface Product: Global Change Collection By moving away from petroleum intensive carpet and…

A triumvirate team of Developer/Sustainability-Consultant, Architect, and General Contractor engaged in creating a standard plan prototype house for infill lots in downtown Phoenix. The three main goals were to: Create a prototype house inspired by the “case-study” homes of the 1960’s, designed with time and place in mind, and to the highest standard of sustainability possible. Create a low- to mid-cost home with…

In May 2009, San Juan County Building Department issued Final Occupancy Permits for Common Ground, Lopez Community Land Trust’s fourth affordable housing neighborhood and their first net-zero energy neighborhood in the state of Washington. Common Ground consists of 11 single-family affordable homes. Additionally, LCLT built an office and two affordable rental units. The 11 homes are under a cooperative ownership…

Owens Corning (NYSE: OC) develops, manufactures and markets insulation, roofing, and fiberglass composites. Global in scope and human in scale, the company’s market-leading businesses use their deep expertise in materials, manufacturing and building science to develop products and systems that save energy and improve comfort in commercial and residential buildings. Ultimately, Owens Corning’s people and products make the world a better…

Extraordinary Projects Meet the Built Environment’s Most Rigorous Performance Standard (May 12, 2016, Seattle, Wash). — The International Living Future Institute today announced three newly certified Living Buildings, bringing the total number of buildings achieving the world’s most rigorous green buildings program to 11. Additionally, nine new projects have been certified Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB). Today’s certification brings the…

Owens Corning (NYSE: OC) develops, manufactures and markets insulation, roofing, and fiberglass composites. Global in scope and human in scale, the company’s market-leading businesses use their deep expertise in materials, manufacturing and building science to develop products and systems that help save energy and improve comfort in commercial and residential buildings. At Owens Corning, expanding our impact through sustainability is…

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) did not think twice about pursuing Living Building Challenge Certification for the expansion of their Petal Certified Midwest office, located in the Civic Opera House Building in downtown Chicago, Illinois. After two years of occupancy in the office, it became clear that the efforts made under the guidance of the LBC standards created a…

Officially opened in April 2012, the UniverCity Childcare Centre is located at the heart of UniverCity, Simon Fraser University’s high-density, sustainable community on Burnaby Mountain, British Columbia. The 5,700-ft2 facility hosts 50 children ranging from 3 to 5 years old. The building provides two centres with separate spaces and services for two groups of 25 children as well as a…

The Brock Environmental Center will be the beachhead for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s (CBF) lower bay programs, bringing the community together to solve complex environmental issues and empower the next generation of citizens through environmental education programs in the Chesapeake Bay. The center is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, an ecologically vital…

In 2008, the DPR Construction San Diego regional office made the transition from renter to owner with a purchase of a twenty-five year old “C-class” office building two blocks away from their existing space.  By starting with an integrative design process and high performing team, they were able to isolate specific strategies of sustainability that complied with four very specific…

The Dixon Water Foundation promotes healthy watersheds through sustainable land management to ensure that present and future generations of Texans have the water resources they need. To this end, the Foundation demonstrates environmentally and ecologically sound ranching practices on its four properties in north and west Texas, in addition to funding grants, hosting educational events, and partnering with researchers. As…

In 2007, Perkins+Will was commissioned to create a signature, green facility that would increase the VanDusen Botanical Garden’s visitorship and enhance its international stature. Designed to be one with nature, the Visitor Centre creates a harmonious balance between architecture and landscape—from both a visual and an ecological perspective. Inspired by the organic forms and natural systems of a native orchid,…

In 2007, the Town of Chrisney, a small, rural community of fewer than 600 people, executed a feasibility study for a prospective library facility. The study revealed that a branch of the Lincoln Heritage Public Library could only be realized if it had virtually no operating costs due to the limited capacity of the local library district for new operating…

The Old Oak Dojo is a small, privately owned ancillary building, built next to a multi-family residence. It resides on a wooded lot in a dense urban neighborhood of Boston. The multipurpose studio space is available for educational gatherings and performances, and serves as a community space where neighbors can congregate to create healthy and resilient communities. The project functions…